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Lockout/Tagout Policy

The purpose of the Lockout/Tagout program at BYU-Idaho is to ensure that no injury to personnel or property damage occurs if an energy source is improperly or accidentally energized or opened. This program identifies the training requirements of all affected personnel so that the proper Lockout/Tagout procedures are applied to all energy isolating devices. By following the correct procedures, the person performing the maintenance or installation ensures that all equipment and/or facilities are inoperable and safe to repair, alter, clean, inspect, or disassemble. This program will also correlate the "Lockout" programs of outside servicing personnel and ensure that they are informed of the BYU-Idaho Lockout/Tagout program.

2.1 This procedure applies to all energized systems that might unexpectedly, improperly, or accidentally be energized and cause injury or property damage. Systems included in this program include but not limited to: electrical, steam, hydraulic, chemical, compressed air or gas, stored (kinetic) or other .

2.3 Servicing and/or maintenance which takes place during normal production operations, except when:

2.3.1 A bypass, guard or other safety device is removed, or, (b) an employee is required to place any part of his/her body into an area of a machine or piece of equipment where work is actually performed upon the material being processed, or where an associated danger zone exists during a machine operating cycle.

2.4 Cord and plug connected equipment which is unplugged and under the exclusive control of the person performing the servicing or maintenance.

4.2 A competent person should make a survey to locate and identify all energy isolating devices to be certain that these devices apply to the equipment to be "locked out".

4.3 Determine which personnel are affected if an energy source is improperly or accidentally energized or opened.

4.4 If an energy isolating device is not capable of being locked out, a tag only shall be used, and then other means shall be taken to ensure adequate protection for affected personnel.

4.5 Sequence of Lockout/Tagout

4.5.1 Notify all affected employees that a lockout/tagout is going to be utilized.

4.5.2 If the machine or equipment is operating, shut it down by the normal stopping procedure (depress stop button, open toggle switch, etc.).

4.5.3 Operate the switch, valve or other energy isolating device(s) so that the equipment is isolated from its energy source(s). Stored energy must be dissipated or restrained by methods such as repositioning, blocking, bleeding down etc.

4.5.4.1 If more than one individual is working on a piece of equipment, EACH individual shall place their own personal lock and tag on the energy isolating devices.

4.5.5 After ensuring that no personnel are exposed, and as a check on having disconnected the energy sources, TRY the normal operating controls to make certain the equipment will not operate. (CAUTION: Return operating controls to "neutral" or "off" position after the test.)

4.6 Restoring Equipment to Normal Operation

4.6.1 After servicing and/or maintenance is complete and equipment is ready for normal operations, check the area around the equipment to ensure that no one is exposed.

4.6.2 After all tools have been removed from the equipment, guards have been re-installed and employees are in the clear, remove all "lockout" and "tagout" devices.

4.6.2.1 As each person no longer needs to maintain their "lockout" protection, that person will remove their lock and tag from the energy isolating device.

4.6.3 Operate the energy isolating devices to restore energy to the equipment.

5.1 All maintenance personnel will be required to carry (or have immediately available a lock(s), lockout device and tags during working hours.

5.1.1 All "lockout" and "tagout" devices shall identify the individual that applied the device.

5.2 Never remove another person's lock or tag or operate, attempt to operate or override equipment that is "locked" and/or "tagged" out.

WARNING: Any person who removes another person's lock and/or tag (except as authorized herein) or attempts to operate, operates, or overrides equipment that is "locked" and/or "tagged" out, is subject to the most extreme measures as outlined in BYU-Idaho's "progressive discipline" policy.

5.3 When multiple locks and tags are used, the department/craft that is responsible for servicing or repairs is to lockout and tagout first, i.e.; electrical systems are first locked out by electricians. The first department/craft to install locks and tags will be the last to remove their locks and tags.

5.4 The lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized person performing the work.

5.5 The locks used for lockout shall be a "keyed" lock of a 5 (five) tumbler design and have the person's identity affixed. The affected person and the BYU-Idaho Key shop will have exclusive control of all keys to "Lockout" locks.

5.6 NOTE: No keyed alike locks will be used for lockout.

5.7 The locks and tags used for Lockout/Tagout will not be used for any other purpose.

5.8 Departments may use "department" locks and tags to secure machinery or equipment from being operated, but these locks will not be used when individuals are engaged in servicing or maintenance operations.

5.9 If the "Authorized" or "Affected" personnel is/are not available to remove his/their lock(s) only the department supervisor may authorize the removal of the locks and tags. This may be done only after every effort has been made to contact the above persons.

5.10 For systems dealing with hazardous materials and/or conditions which involve potentially critical personnel exposure; the department supervisor or his next highest member of supervision shall review the system and determine the appropriate "Lockout" procedure.

5.11 Where feasible on all valves and piping systems: (1) valves will be locked and (2) "blinds" will be installed; on both sides of the area being worked on.

5.12 All locks and tags will remain in place until the work is completed unless with the exception that they may be removed temporarily to test or adjust the system or equipment. The locks and tags will then be immediately replaced.

5.13 Whenever outside servicing or contractor personnel are to be engaged in activities covered by the "Scope" of this program, BYU-Idaho and the outside employer shall inform each other of their respective "lockout" procedures.

5.14 The BYU-Idaho Safety Department will train department supervisors in the Lockout/Tagout program. The department supervisor will be responsible for the training of all affected personnel. All affected personnel will be trained initially and be retrained annually or as the situation warrants. New BYU-Idaho personnel affected by the lockout program will be trained as part of their initial orientation. A training outline and training record will be maintained in departments, with copies forwarded to the BYU-Idaho Risk Management and Safety Training Office.

5.15 The BYU-Idaho Safety Department will perform annual audits of the Lockout/Tagout program. Results of this audit will be forwarded to supervisors and department directors.

Affected Personnel: A person who is required to work on machinery or equipment during installation (set up) or who performs maintenance, servicing, or testing.

Authorized Person: The person that initiates or implements the Lockout/Tagout program.

Energized: Connected to an energy source or containing residual or stored energy.

Energy isolating device: A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy. It includes but is not limited to the following: electrical circuit breakers, a disconnect switch, slide gate, a "blind", or valve used to block or isolate energy.

Lockout: The placement of a lockout device on an energy isolating device in accordance with established procedures, to ensure that the energy isolating device and the equipment or system being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed.

Lockout Supervisor: The department supervisor is in charge of BYU-Idaho's Lockout/Tagout program for his department. Department supervisors will coordinate the Lockout/Tagout programs when there is more than one group or department working on specific equipment.

Tagout: The placing of an approved tag on an energy isolating device, in accordance with the established procedures.

Tagout device: A prominent warning device, such as a tag and its means of attachment, that is made of materials that will withstand all environmental conditions, and be substantial enough to prevent inadvertent or accidental removal. The Tagout device must be designed to that it can be securely fastened to an energy isolating device. The equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed. The means of attachment of a tagout device shall be of a non-reusable type, self-locking, with a minimum unlocking strength of 50 pounds (nylon cable tie).

Try: The act of an authorized person verifying that all switches, valves, or other devices are in-fact correctly locked and tagged to ensure that all energy sources have been isolated. All affected personnel should observe the "try".

Competent Person: An individual who is capable, by training and/or experience, of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions in the work place. This person is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate the unsafe conditions. A "competent person" knows and understands BYU Idaho's Lockout/Tagout Program.